WILDFIRE WHISKY
HAWAII MARTIN MARS
BOMBER EDITION
The Martin Mars wasn’t built for wildfires.
It was built for war.
But on the West Coast, it found a new purpose, protecting forests, communities, and lives.
When the fires came,
it showed up.
Every time.
Best Coast Distillers has released a limited edition Wildfire Whisky featuring the iconic Martin Mars bomber — now available online and at the distillery. This special release celebrates one of British Columbia’s most legendary firefighting aircraft and supports the preservation of its legacy on Vancouver Island.
For over half a century, the massive red-and-white Mars aircraft fought wildfires across the province, dropping up to 27,000 litres of water in a single pass and earning a reputation as one of the most powerful firefighting tools in the world. Based for decades at Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, the Mars became a symbol of BC’s resilience — a familiar sight in smoky skies each summer.
Two Martin Mars bombers once called Vancouver Island home: the Hawaii Mars, now retired to the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich, and its sister ship, the Philippine Mars, which now resides in Arizona. When the Hawaii Mars made its final landing in Pat Bay, crowds lined the shoreline to witness history, cheering as the legendary aircraft touched down one last time.
Now, just five minutes from Best Coast’s distillery, the Hawaii Mars Bomber sits proudly on display — a lasting testament to courage, craftsmanship, and community.
“WildFire Whisky was created to celebrate that same spirit — strength in the face of adversity, and the power of people coming together,” says Best Coast co-founder Corey Wood. “Honouring the Martin Mars Bomber feels like a natural fit. It’s a BC hero that deserves to be celebrated.”
A portion of the proceeds from this limited WildFire release will go directly toward supporting the restoration of the Martin Mars Bomber at the BC
Aviation Museum, helping preserve this piece of Canadian history for generations to come.
Community giving is at the heart of Best Coast’s mission. Other WildFire Whisky labels proudly support the Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation, helping fund initiatives that protect and strengthen communities across Vancouver Island.
With its smooth vanilla and a balanced cinnamon finish, WildFire Whisky captures the heat and heart of the West Coast. And this spring, the new Martin Mars Bomber label offers a rewarding option — a limited-edition bottle that not only tastes great but also supports two worthy causes close to home.
The Water Bomb
Inspired by the Mars Bomber itself—bold, layered, and built to stand out.
Inspired by the iconic Martin Mars water bombers, the WildFire Water Bomb is a cocktail that pays tribute to a true West Coast legend. The deep red layer at the base reflects the unmistakable hull of the aircraft, while the bright, refreshing top mirrors the drop from above—cool, crisp, and cutting through the heat. Simple to make and built around WildFire Whisky, it’s a drink that captures both the spirit of the coast and the power of the story behind it.
- Fill a highball glass with ice
- Add WildFire Whisky, lemon juice, and bitters
- Top with ginger ale
- Stir lightly
- (Optional) Add a small splash of grenadine at the bottom for a layered effect
- Garnish and serve
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Best Coast WildFire Whisky
- 4–5 oz ginger ale
- 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Optional: small splash of grenadine (for “Ember” effect)
-
Garnish
- Orange peel
- Rosemary sprig (optional smoke for effect)
Partial Proceeds to help preserve and restore the Martin Mars Bomber
When we approached the BC Aviation museum with the concept of our tribute label, the team there was very receptive and supportive of initiatives that would help ensure the preservation of this BC legend. We worked with them to agree on imagery and presentation of the label, and how best to describe our collaboration.
Partial proceeds of every Mars Bomber Edition bottle will be donated to the museum and we do hope to continue to support their efforts over time.
You can donate directly to the BC Aviation museum as well as your support through your WildFire purchase through their website portal. Thank you for your support!